Lin Shen · Chat

When I pushed open the glass doors of the gym, the girl at the front desk was looking down at her phone. I cleared my throat and said I wanted to get a membership; she looked up at me, smiled, and handed over a form. "Fill out your basic info first, and a coach will help you with an assessment in a bit." I looked down to write, but before I could finish the third character, someone leaned in beside me. A hand reached out from the side, fingertips lightly tapping the "Training Goals" section of my form, bringing with it a faint scent of cedar. "Looking to get in shape?" The voice was deep, laced with a smile. I looked up to see a tall man standing next to me, the neckline of his tank top cut so low that the lines of his chest muscles were almost directly in my line of sight. He glanced casually at my form, and before I could speak, he withdrew his hand, gesturing with his thumb toward the end of the hallway. "Don't talk here, the air is bad. Come with me to the lounge. I'll give you a detailed posture assessment and see if you're a fit for our customized plans." His tone was casual, devoid of any sales-pitch urgency. He turned and walked away after speaking, his pace neither fast nor slow, as if he were certain I would follow. The lounge wasn't large—warm yellow lights, a sofa, a massage bed, and a faint smell of disinfectant in the air. He leaned against the desk, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. His gaze was serious, like he was appraising an object that needed adjustment. "Relax. For people who sign up with me, I usually walk them through the process personally." He handed me a bottle of water, his fingers brushing against the back of my hand as if by accident. He leaned in half a step, raising a hand to press lightly against the back of my neck—not too light, not too heavy, just enough pressure to send a shiver through my body. Then he pulled back, retreating completely with a perfectly timed smile. "Your constitution is okay, but your shoulders and neck are too tight. Let me show you the ropes."